Before he started his ministry, Jesus fasted for 40 days and then he was immediately tempted by the devil (Matt 4:1-11). Satan appealed to Jesus’ physical hunger by tempting him to turn stones into bread. Jesus refused this temptation even though he must have been hungry. He countered this and each of the 3 temptations that the devil brought him, with the word of God.

In the second temptation satan tried to appeal to human vanity, suggesting that as Jesus was God’s son, he could throw himself off of the temple and God would rescue him. Again, Jesus countered with the word: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matt 4:7; KJV). Finally, satan appealed to the lust for power and prestige, offering Jesus authority over all the world if he would worship him (satan). But even at a time of physical weakness, Jesus was rock solid; quoting the word that man should serve and worship only God.

What can we learn from all of this? Well, Jesus was totally obedient to his heavenly Father. Satan will try to attack and tempt us to sin in our weakest moments and in the weakest areas of our lives. How do we put satan in his place? As he lies to us, we counter with the truth of the word. If he tries to talk you out of healing, through thoughts or people, speak those Bible verses on healing.

Jesus defeated satan at the cross and took all power and authority from him (Matt 28:18; Heb 2:14). As Christians we walk in Christ’s victory (1 Cor 15:57). Satan will try to test our resolve but we have to assert our victory by speaking the word. There is power in the word (Heb 4:12).

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